Fairbanks, Alaska Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Fairbanks, Alaska is 32,242 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 2nd-largest city in Alaska. The median household income is $72,077, the median home value is $255,700, and the median age is 28.6.
The population has declined 0.1% since 2010 (31,761 → 31,732).
32,242
Population
1014
People / sq mi
$72,077
Median Income
$255,700
Median Home Value
Fairbanks covers 31.8 sq mi of land at 1014 people per square mile.
About Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks is a city in Alaska with a population of 32,242. It ranks #2 among cities in Alaska by population. The median age is 28.6, younger than the national median. The population is 53.7% male and 46.3% female.
The median household income in Fairbanks is $72,077, near the US median of $74,580. 5.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $255,700, with monthly rent averaging $1,470. The homeownership rate of 40.5% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Fairbanks reflects 26.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 14.1 minutes each way.
Fairbanks city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Fairbanks city had a population of 31,761 in 2010 and 31,732 in 2024, a -0.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 32,408 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.02%.
31,732
Population (2024)
31,761
Population (2010)
32,408
Peak (2020)
0.02%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 31,761 |
| 2011 | 30,743 |
| 2012 | 32,063 |
| 2013 | 32,386 |
| 2014 | 31,525 |
| 2015 | 31,638 |
| 2016 | 31,996 |
| 2017 | 31,733 |
| 2018 | 31,446 |
| 2019 | 30,917 |
| 2020 | 32,408 |
| 2021 | 32,180 |
| 2022 | 32,005 |
| 2023 | 32,007 |
| 2024 | 31,732 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 60.7% |
| Black or African American | 7.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 14.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$72,077
Median Household Income
$36,392
Per Capita Income
5.2%
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$255,700
Median Home Value
$1,470
Median Rent
40.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.8%
High School+
26.5%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.3%
Drive Alone
66.1%
Public Transit
5.2%
Work From Home
14.1 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
55.3%
Foreign Born
85.0%
Non-English at Home
10.7%
Veterans
14.9%
With Disability
90.4%
Health Insurance
96.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 28.8% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.8% |
| Retail Trade | 9.4% |
| Public Administration | 7.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.3% |
| Information | 5.5% |
| Construction | 4.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 3.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.7% |
| Manufacturing | 1.5% |
Largest cities in Alaska
Largest counties in Alaska
Part of Alaska
Metro areas in Alaska
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairbanks, Alaska has a population of 32,242 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 2nd-largest city in Alaska.
The median household income in Fairbanks, Alaska is $72,077, with 5.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Fairbanks, Alaska is $255,700, with median monthly rent at $1,470 and a homeownership rate of 40.5%.
The median age in Fairbanks, Alaska is 28.6 years. The population is 53.7% male and 46.3% female.
The population has declined 0.1% since 2010 (31,761 → 31,732).
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Statewide data for Alaska
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Alaska
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.